12 feared dead in military helicopter crash in Hawaii

OAHU, Hawaii, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for two Marine helicopters with 12 aboard that reportedly collided north of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Coast Guard District 14 said two CH-53 helicopters, the Marine Corps' largest helicopter, collided shortly after midnight local time (3 a.m. Eastern). Emergency workers found debris including an empty life raft and fire on the water. Waves reaching 40 feet are hampering rescue efforts.

The aircrafts are from Kaneohe Bay U.S. Marine Corps Air Station with six people aboard each.

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The aircraft are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW in Hawaii. pic.twitter.com/Gn4VmXOIgM

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 15, 2016